Luke Evans is nearing a deal to play Gaston opposite Emma Watson‘s Belle in Disney’s live-action musical “Beauty and the Beast,” an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.

Bill Condon (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”) will direct from a script written by Stephen Chbosky, who directed Watson in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” Evan Spiliotopoulos wrote the previous draft of the screenplay.

“Beauty and the Beast” is the latest Disney classic to receive a live-action adaptation following “Maleficent,” “Cinderella” and Jon Favreau‘s upcoming take on “The Jungle Book.”

Evans recently starred in “Dracula Untold,” “Fast and Furious 6” and “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.” He recently wrapped Ben Wheatley’s “High Rise” and will reteam with the director on “Free Fire.” He’s represented by WME and United Agents.